CTR explanation

[BidC]

I wonder if someone could explain the significance of the CTR to me.

 

Last month I hit the dizzy heights of 0.24 (following a slow decline ). Now, two days later (and obviously the average has declined due to number of views in the previous monthly period), its now 0.18.

I'll soon be in negative figures .... (if thats possible).

 

Each day, when I am able (and using the 'pictures viewed' list in Measures), I adjust keywords and captions etc.

In December I'll have time to go through a lot of old images and do the same. Many times images in the same set (with same key words) don't appear in the search, so these must appear later in the page ranking and are therefore not viewed.

 

But this now seems (to me) a like a declining spiral - how to recover from 0.18. Whilst most people 'wow' about sales, I nearly fell off my perch to have '2' zooms (on separate days) last month 😀

 

No point going into the doldrums about it, but I am curious as to how the CTR affects views and page rank etc

 

 

[BidC]

Message from QC Alamy today 

 

Hi Bridget,

 

They don’t seem underexposed to us, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

 

 Thanks

The Alamy QC Team.

[Mr Standfast]

1 hour ago, LawrensonPhoto said:

Don't, have a look at the 'sold in month thread', create a lightbox from those images and just look at them from time to time to see what is really selling.

Then go from there

In 2017 I had one zoom the entire year

In 2018 62 zooms

Currently in 2019 I have 112 and rising

It can be done

 

I agree. 

[meanderingemu]

8 hours ago, BidC said:

 

This is why I have attended - the only way to learn is to learn from the professionals on the field, and they have taught me great deal. Thats better than any sale, in reality. There is always a plus side ...  

But I take your point about the smaller news pieces -  where I live they ask the public to supply those for free  

 

I think its probably time I found another avenue to pursue ...

Don't think I could enjoy it much again after this .. 

 

 

in all fairness i don't think @LawrensonPhoto said not to attend.  He spoke about uploading such images and the impact on CTR.  I actually it was an excellent point, which is making me reconsider how many images I should upload of such well covered images, and probably reduce my threshold of what i will post. For example whereas for a subject matter with low representation i might upload a 3* image, for well covered i should not, as the only impact would be to hurt my CTR.  

this removes nothing of what i would learn from attending. 

[BidC]

6 hours ago, Inchiquin said:

 

It's actually in our interest to help less experienced stock photographers because the better the overall quality of pics on Alamy, the more customers will come, and stay. But help is not just about saying kind words, it's about giving an honest appraisal. Some newcomers need to understand that although we are not all professional photographers, this is a professional marketplace, not a camera club, and if you want to make a success in a professional space it pays to listen to the advice given, in good faith, by more experienced contributors.

 

Alan

 

 

That does not mean giving an assassination of a portfolio - stripping me of any dignity, and making it seem as though I personally am incompetent and completely ignorant.

I asked a question about CTR, and got a brutal explanation about how poor my CTR was compared to someone else, and how they do their workflow, and how I must spend £X recalibrating the system. (If that hasn't been a problem before, and is not consistently a problem there is no 'urgent' need to do so).

 

That is not how 'professionals' speak to one another.

I'm not the one making this into a 'club'.

 

*Some* of my latter images appear dark - to work out why, whilst retaining one's own style and interests if more the objective.

(Though interestingly one of those photos deemed unacceptable was zoomed last month)

In any event, I didn't ask for the exam paper to be written for me.

 

End of story.

It didn't actually take 2-3 pages of discussion to work all that out.

 

I think some of you have a very unfortunate way of expressing yourselves. 

 

But Steve and I have let bygones be bygones, so I would now say the discussion, is at its end.

 

 

 

 

[Inchiquin]

4 hours ago, NYCat said:

 

 I am often surprised at how much time some generous people give to try to be useful to someone they will be competing with.

 

 

 

It's actually in our interest to help less experienced stock photographers because the better the overall quality of pics on Alamy, the more customers will come, and stay. But help is not just about saying kind words, it's about giving an honest appraisal. Some newcomers need to understand that although we are not all professional photographers, this is a professional marketplace, not a camera club, and if you want to make a success in a professional space it pays to listen to the advice given, in good faith, by more experienced contributors.

 

Alan

[BidC]

6 hours ago, LawrensonPhoto said:

Brexit and Grenfell covered by 100's if not thousands of photographer's from the best agencies in the world,

 

This is why I have attended - the only way to learn is to learn from the professionals on the field, and they have taught me great deal. Thats better than any sale, in reality. There is always a plus side ...  

But I take your point about the smaller news pieces -  where I live they ask the public to supply those for free  

 

I think its probably time I found another avenue to pursue ...

Don't think I could enjoy it much again after this .. 

[Mr Standfast]

Time this thread had a cocoa and went to bed. g'night all

[BidC]

2 minutes ago, LawrensonPhoto said:

Who is this Lawrence you speak of? 😁

 

2 minutes ago, LawrensonPhoto said:

Who is this Lawrence you speak of? 😁

 

Read your name as 'Lawrence' apogees  

[BidC]

8 hours ago, Mr Standfast said:

Hello Bridget,

 

As promised, a quick recipe for a second pseudonym; (you did say you were'nt sure?).The basis is of this are  the recommendations from other contributors for an edited and curated portfolio. People have made compelling arguments for this.

 

First create a new pseudonym

• Alamy Image Manager, top right corner, pseudonyms,
• Click on Add new pseudonym. suitably upbeat name!

 

Second populate the pseudonym.

Go through each of your submissions in term in Alamy Image Manager, and add pictures to the new pseudonym that meet the following criteria

• The best picture.
•  The most zoomed picture.
•  Anything that has sold.

...not hard and fast rules but be picky.

 

You now have a batch of pictures which should collect most of your interest and will drive your CTR in a positive direction.

 

Now it's not such a daunting number, maybe check the captions of each one.

 

Hope this helps,

 

James

 

PS Good luck!

 

 

 

Thank you James.

[BidC]

2 hours ago, NYCat said:

 

BidC has been having a rough time in another thread and is on her way out for a while. Though she doesn't seem the type to give red arrows. If you had been following her adventures you might not have been so honestly critical. It is hard here to know how much to "help" our competitors. I am often surprised at how much time some generous people give to try to be useful to someone they will be competing with. I am also sometimes glad it is not my images being shredded! 

 

Paulette 

 

Thank you Paulette.

[BidC]

4 hours ago, LawrensonPhoto said:

Blimey a red arrow 😘

 

Dear Lawrence - I have been trying to turn off notifications to no avail, but thankfully on this occasion that has a positive reason, in order that  I can say that I haven't given you a red arrow. I would not do that. I I felt strongly (as I'm afraid I have recently), I would say so.

Apologies if you felt I had disrespected your comments.

 

Thank you for your advice.

I do appreciate it.

 

I'm going to leave things for quite a while now, as I also have probably contributed to me now feeling totally confused - particularly in regards to how the images seem to have become so dark to others.

So I am putting everything aside for now.

 

For me whatever I do has to have purpose.

There is no point me taking shots of anything if it ultimately has no purpose.

My problem.

 

In any event, thank you and once again apologies - there doesn't appear to be a red arrow just now, so maybe that person made an error.

 

Hopefully from tomorrow my portfolio won't be publicallly viewable, whilst I decide what to do.

 

best wishes,

[meanderingemu]

1 minute ago, NYCat said:

 

BidC has been having a rough time in another thread and is on her way out for a while. Though she doesn't seem the type to give red arrows. If you had been following her adventures you might not have been so honestly critical. It is hard here to know how much to "help" our competitors. I am often surprised at how much time some generous people give to try to be useful to someone they will be competing with. I am also sometimes glad it is not my images being shredded! 

 

Paulette 

 

actually i am the one who over reacted the other way, and put the red arrow because i felt the "i didn't read the thread, but will pile on on BidC" was a bit harsh.  But in fairness @LawrensonPhoto probably had not seen the other posts.  Please accept my apology, i have removed the arrow.  

[NYCat]

1 hour ago, LawrensonPhoto said:

Blimey a red arrow 😘

 

BidC has been having a rough time in another thread and is on her way out for a while. Though she doesn't seem the type to give red arrows. If you had been following her adventures you might not have been so honestly critical. It is hard here to know how much to "help" our competitors. I am often surprised at how much time some generous people give to try to be useful to someone they will be competing with. I am also sometimes glad it is not my images being shredded! 

 

Paulette 

[MizBrown]

Realistically, Alamy licenses are supplemental money for most of us.  All of us have to come up with keywords that photo buyers are likely to use to see things and then your photo has to be more compelling than anyone else's for a range of possible reasons (more dynamic composition, copy space, what's called an Alamy whack (one of a kind for a given keyword), or any number of other reasons.

[Mr Standfast]

Hello Bridget,

 

As promised, a quick recipe for a second pseudonym; (you did say you were'nt sure?).The basis is of this are  the recommendations from other contributors for an edited and curated portfolio. People have made compelling arguments for this.

 

First create a new pseudonym

• Alamy Image Manager, top right corner, pseudonyms,
• Click on Add new pseudonym. suitably upbeat name!

 

Second populate the pseudonym.

Go through each of your submissions in term in Alamy Image Manager, and add pictures to the new pseudonym that meet the following criteria

• The best picture.
•  The most zoomed picture.
•  Anything that has sold.

...not hard and fast rules but be picky.

 

You now have a batch of pictures which should collect most of your interest and will drive your CTR in a positive direction.

 

Now it's not such a daunting number, maybe check the captions of each one.

 

Hope this helps,

 

James

 

PS Good luck!

 

 

[BidC]

16 hours ago, Mr Standfast said:

 

Hello Bridget,

 

I also recommend a second pseudonym for your very best pictures. Today may not be ideal to go into methods and details but if its welcome I'll post a simple recipe.

 

Cutting back on contributing? Well thats a business decision that only you can make, but leaving the forum? Your steadying comments would be missed.

 

James

 

Thanks James, thats very kind of you.

[BidC]

16 hours ago, Joseph Clemson said:

Not a problem, Allan, I know exactly what you are saying. I just wanted to give BidC, who is feeling somewhat fraught at the moment, the notion that there could be light at the end of the tunnel and that tunnel might not be quite as long as it may seem just at this moment.

 

Thank you Jospeh - currently 'considering my position'  [At least just now I can smile a little - however wryly ]

[Joseph Clemson]

Not a problem, Allan, I know exactly what you are saying. I just wanted to give BidC, who is feeling somewhat fraught at the moment, the notion that there could be light at the end of the tunnel and that tunnel might not be quite as long as it may seem just at this moment.

[Mr Standfast]

6 hours ago, BidC said:

 

Thank you Allan - to be honest, I have almost given up myself. Another pseudonym ... not sure about running two (nor how I would do it, but at some point I will look at the thread Joseph posted). I feel I already spend too much time doing stuff that isn't really achieving anything .... 

 

Hello Bridget,

 

I also recommend a second pseudonym for your very best pictures. Today may not be ideal to go into methods and details but if its welcome I'll post a simple recipe.

 

Cutting back on contributing? Well thats a business decision that only you can make, but leaving the forum? Your steadying comments would be missed.

 

James

[Allan Bell]

2 hours ago, Joseph Clemson said:

If you are still no further forward next year, then...

 

 

Ha Ha Ha!   I'm not much further forward since starting back in 2008. At least not as far forward regarding regular sales and more often. BUT I am enjoying the challenge, yes it is still a challenge. Don't be put off BidC it took me three years to get my first sale and that was when it was easier to get sales.

 

Now with so many images in the library it is harder BUT some on here with a small portfolio in the hundreds are achieving sales and not having to wait too long for sales either.

 

Allan

 

Sorry Joseph the first bit looks like I am having a dig at you but I'm not. If I had gone with your "no further forward next year, then..." advice. I would not be here now and I have met some very nice helpful people and made some new friends too. You included.

 

ITMA

 

[Joseph Clemson]

2 hours ago, BidC said:

 

But I get around 50/600 images viewed per day .... though I will take all that into account. Thank you, Joseph.

Re captioning the 'Live News' probably a good start. The doctors images still appear in searches, and seem relevant (though those that I stated with are not best quality).

Hello Bid C.

 

Please Don't Give Up. Established and experienced contributors here provide critique when asked with the aim of helping others to grow in their skills and their own experience. Of all the forums, this is the one where you are least likely to encounter intended negativity. Stock photography can be quite a steep learning curve, but worth trying to conquer, if only for the kudos of seeing your work in print/on screen.

 

Your 50 views daily views per 600 images is a slightly higher proportion than my 150 views per 3500 images. I'm guess those long Live News captions are responsible for the high number of views, but very few zooms. Take a deep breath and start again with what you have learned about submitting your best images with careful captioning and keywording. Create a new pseudonym if you like and submit new images to that - see where it takes you. If you are still no further forward next year, then...

 

 

[BidC]

45 minutes ago, Allan Bell said:

I don't tend to even bother with CTR these days, what really counts are sales and zooms in that order.

 

I have to agree with comments about some of your images being a bit dull/dark. Of course you have quite a few which look as thought they are intended to be on the dark side and that is fine.

 

Allan

 

edit I was writing this as BidC posted a reply.

 

Thank you Allan - to be honest, I have almost given up myself. Another pseudonym ... not sure about running two (nor how I would do it, but at some point I will look at the thread Joseph posted). I feel I already spend too much time doing stuff that isn't really achieving anything .... 

[BidC]

1 hour ago, Joseph Clemson said:

If your CTR is low you will probably struggle to get into the first pages of any given search. This means many buyers will never even see your images.

 

But I get around 50/600 images viewed per day .... though I will take all that into account. Thank you, Joseph.

Re captioning the 'Live News' probably a good start. The doctors images still appear in searches, and seem relevant (though those that I stated with are not best quality).

[Allan Bell]

I don't tend to even bother with CTR these days, what really counts are sales and zooms in that order.

 

I have to agree with comments about some of your images being a bit dull/dark. Of course you have quite a few which look as thought they are intended to be on the dark side and that is fine.

 

Allan

 

edit I was writing this as BidC posted a reply.

[BidC]

1 hour ago, Matt Ashmore said:

 

Yes.. agreed. 2A0N05C in-particular is very dark.

 

That one is supposed to be underexposed ..... (as are some of the others ). I would hate to have a bland portfolio of happy smiling images, when really life (and the world) is not like that. But maybe thats my downfall - 

 

I said I'd give it a year - and that year will soon be up. 

 

Thanks for all the suggestions though.

Much appreciated.